In times of political, social, and environmental instability, philanthropy often defaults to protection—safeguarding strategies, partners, and past gains. But what if resilience meant more than stabilizing? What if it meant bouncing forward toward systems that are more just and community-rooted?
At GEO’s 2025 Learning Conference, we explored how to lead with equity, creativity, and community amid compounding crises. This virtual session builds on that conversation, inviting funders to view disruption not as something to survive, but as an opening for bold transformation.
This interactive session, facilitated by Jewlya Lynn and Clare Nolan, will support a shift in mindset: from guarding against loss to embracing possibility. Using conceptual frameworks, case examples, and peer exchange, participants will explore how to lead toward systems change in the face of disruption.
Participants will:
- Reframe resilience as a driver of strategy innovation and systems change, not just stability
- Explore tools and cases that illustrate how funders can bounce forward in partnership with communities
- Reflect on disruptions in their own work and identify where systems are fragile or ready for new transformation
- Connect with peers to share insights, tensions, and new possibilities
Who should attend:
This session is designed for foundation staff who shape, guide, or implement strategy—especially during times of disruption. This includes program and portfolio directors, strategy and learning officers, and senior leaders navigating how to stay adaptive and values-driven in a rapidly shifting environment.
Who can join? To be eligible for GEO membership, your organization must be one of the following:
- A grantmaking institution, such as a foundation, a corporate giving program, a government funder, a United Way or a venture philanthropy organization.
- An infrastructure group, such as a philanthropy serving organization, that serves grantmakers as its primary members.
- An academic program at an accredited institution where philanthropy is the primary focus of your research or coursework.